
Glass. 
Book- 






JUDAS ISCARIOT 



S :^iracle piag. 



V/ I T H OTHER P O E M S. 



By R. H. Horne, 

" Sfutijar of Ortou." 



London: C. Mitchell, Red Lion Court, 
Fleet Street. ' 



■aHssHBonMas^ae 



/ 



JUDAS ISCARIOT 



IN TWO ACTS. 



WITH OTHER POEMS. 



By R. H. Horne, 



London: C. Mitchell, Red Lion Court. 

1848. 






LONDON : 

WILLIAM STEVENS, PRINTER, BELL YARD, 
TEMPLE BAR. 



PREFACE. 



It had frequently occurred to me that the story of 
Judas Iscariot contained elements of a tragedy of 
a more terrible kind than could be developed from 
any other event in history; but for the first idea 
of attempting it, I am indebted to an Ordination 
Sermon delivered by his Grace the Archbishop of 
Dublin. It was printed at the earnest request of 
the Priests and Deacons then ordained. 

** In contemplating." says the Archbishop, " the case of Judas 
Iscariot, you should first remark that there is no reason for 
concluding, as unreflecting readers often do, that he was in- 
fluenced solely by the paltry bribe of thirty pieces of silver 
(probably equal, in silver, to about sixty shillings ; and in 
value to perhaps about twice that sum in the present day) to 
betray his Master, and to betray Him designedly to death. 
That Jesus possessed miraculous powers Judas must have well 
known ; and it is likely that, if he believed Him to be the 
promised Messiah, who was about to establish a splendid and 
powerful kingdom (an expectation which it is plain was enter- 
tained by all the apostles), he must have expected that his 
Master, on being arrested and brought before the Jewish 
rulers, would be driven to assert his claim, by delivering 

b 



iv Preface, 

himself miraculously from the power of his enemies ; and 
would at once accept the temporal kingdom which the people 
were already eager (and would then have been doubly 
eager) to offer him. That if our Lord had done this, He 
would have been received with enthusiastic welcome, as the 
nation's deliverer from Roman bondage, there can be no 
doubt ; since He would thus have fulfilled the fondly- 
cherished hopes of the multitudes who had just before 
brought Him in triumph to Jerusalem. And it was most 
natural for Judas to expect that Jesus would so conduct him- 
self, if delivered up to his enemies. As for his voluntarily 
submitting to stripes and indignities, and to a disgraceful 
death, when it was in his power to call in to his aid ' more 
than twelve legions of angels,' no such thought seems ever 
to have occurred to the mind of Judas, any more than it did 
to the other Apostles. 

" But the difference," continues the learned Archbishop, 
" between Iscariot and his fellow- apostles was, that, though 
all had the same expectations and conjectures, he dared to act 
on his conjectures, departing from the plain course of his 
known duty, to follow the calculations of his worldly wisdom, 
and the schemes of his worldly ambition ; while they piously 
submitted to their Master's guidance, even when they * under- 
stood not the things that He said unto them.' " 

Similar opinions were, according to Theophylact, 
entertained by some of the Fathers. See also 
Whitby's '' Annotations on St. Matthew." 

Having adopted the view of Judas Iscariot, thus 
originated and supported, it only remained for me 
to guard against the evil of being led away by the 
freshness and force of this new point of vision, into 
making a sort of hero of so great a criminal. This 
danger has been studiously avoided. His gross 
personal interests, his craving for worldly pomp, 
and power, and exterminating vengeance upon all 



Preface. v 

enemies, are palpably displayed as the antitheses to 
all true heroism ; his dreadful remorse and terrific 
end are the final attestation of his character, ac- 
cording to Scripture. He is to be shuddered at — 
never admired : trembled for (not, I hope, without 
a deep touch of human compassion for his anguish) 
— but never sympathised with. It has been my 
constant object to keep him standing hideously 
alone — as he ought to stand. For the rest; I 
have helped to disabuse the world of one of its in- 
congruous '^monsters.'' The crime of Judas is quire 
revolting enough, without supposing him to have 
been actuated by a mere purposeless malignity, or 
by a sordid motive of the most trivial kind. That 
the world, for the most part, may not be yet pre- 
pared to give up one of its greatest '' monsters,"" is 
probable; at all events, the question is open to 
discussion. Something of the same kind also 
applies to another character introduced in tliis 
tragedy. 

I should ill requite my obligations to the vene- 
rable Archbishop — obligations, which at the same 
time comprise my profound respect for so many of 
his public labours, and a grateful sense of personal 
kindness to myself when in Dublin — if I allowed it 
to be supposed that any other views of characters 
and actions, or any other portions of the dialogue 
in the following scenes vrere attributable for their 
tone and purpose to the same source. For all, 
except as relates to the principal character, I alone 
am responsible. 

A few words, and forms of expression, which the 



vi Preface. 

more correct translations render diflFerently, have 
been retained according to the versions of the Bible 
in general use, for the sake of the greater poetic 
force conveyed in them. 

I have cast this Scriptural Tragedy in the form 
of the old English Miracle Plays, as being the class 
to which it more legitimately belongs, and also vrith 
a view to remove it as far as possible from the 
dramatic literature of our own day, in reverence to 
the general bearings and atmosphere of the subject. 



A few Miscellaneous Poems have been appended, 
in order to vary the contents of a publication, other- 
wise of too gloomy a character. 



1 



Truth dwels iu gulphs, whose deepes hide shades so rich 
That Night sits muffled there in clouds of pitch, 
More darke than Natui^e made her ; and requires 
(To cleare her tough mists) heaven's great fire of fires — 
To wrestle with these heaven-strong Mysteries. 

Chapman. 



John, 

Peter, 

James, 

Judas Iscariot, 



DRAMATIS PERSONjE. 

1 



Disciples of Christ. 



Pontius Pilate, Governor of Judsea. 

Caiaphas, High Priest of the Temple of Jerusalem. 

Annas, Sargon, (or Second to Caiaphas), and Father-in-laj 

of Caiaphas. 
NicoDEMUs, a Pharisee. 
Lazarus, of Bethany. 
Joseph, a rich man of Arimathea. 

Mary, the Mother of Christ. 

Mary's Sister. 

Mary, the Wife of Cleophas. 

Mary, the Sister of Lazarus. 

Mary Magdalene. 

Claudia, the Wife of Pontius Pilate. 

Pharisees, Scribes, Priests. 

Elders, Centurions, Soldiers, Attendants. 



JUDAS ISCARIOT. 



ACT I. 

SCENE I. 

A Public Walk in Jerusalem, 

A Pharisee is on his knees praying aloud at the corner of 
a street, A crowd gathered round, 

Phar. Not that the hand of man can be raised up. 
Except as pre-ordained ; not that one pulse 
Can beat beyond the circle of its law^ 
One thought be called our own ; but that our souls 
Must struggle virtuously for virtue's sake. 
Setting down all we gain as merely given. 
Since God ordains free-will as part of fate. 
Holy ! thrice holy Law of Ancient Days ! 
Immortal life in ever-changing shapes 
To some of us is promised — such as keep 
The old traditions hke a mirror bright. 
Wherein we see the doctrines, rules, and forms. 
And mystic truths, the which, if read aright, 
Crown with pure sanctity the prostrate mind. 

[Falls on his face. 
[Exeunt crowd with murmurs of applause. 



2 Judas Iscariot. {Act I. 

Enter a Scribe ; and a Pharisee dressed in sack-cloth, 
with fine linen underneath. 

Scribe. Our teaching — all ! — opposing all our teaching ! 

2nd Phar. And our high doctrine. 

1st Phar. {Rising,) Speak ye not of Jesus? 

2nd Phar. Of him, beyond all men who yet have raised 
Schisms, and false doctrines, and by arts misled 
The ignorant people — the ungrateful blind ones. 
Fond of wild parables flattering to their hopes 
And laxity of life. 

Scribe. Reproved by us 

In schools, and synagogues, and lecture halls, 
Whene'er we teach ; also reproved and warned 
In all our books and vnritings — but in vain ; 
Him they still follow. 

1 ST Phar. I will pray against him 

In all the public places, and denounce 
His blasphemies against the ancient laws. 
And our interpretation. 

Scribe. Lo 1 where comes 
One of his followers ! 

2nd Phar. A man whose face 

Is full of pride — lacking all reverence. 
{Aside,) I fain would tread him down. 

Enter Judas. 

Scribe. He is well known. 

1st Phar. {To Judas,) How cometh it to pass that thou 
walkest abroad among holy men, and virtuous 
people who obey the law and its expounders, — 
thou thyself being a follower of false prophets, and 
a believer of heresies and lies ? 

Scribe. Dost thou also presume to teach, being thyself 
untaught in all things but devilishness and the 
hopes of fools ! 

2nj) Phar. Thou bearest the face of one who hath some 



Sc. /.] A Miracle Play, 3 

cause for pride ; and jet thou art the slave of a 

blasphemer. 
Judas. Rabbi, this is not so. I follow no heretic, but 

one who hath a divine faith, and who teacheth it ; 

who hath no devils, but is a caster out of devils 

from others ; neither is he a fool, but rather a 

teacher of heavenly wisdom. Wherefore he is no 

blasphemer, neither have I cause for shame in the 

face that I follow him. Pride rather, in the hope 

of things which are to come. 

[The Scribe and Pharisees confer apart. 
Scribe. He saith what he must saj, being a servant of 

this impostor. 
1st Phar. The pomegranate seed telleth what tree it fell 

from ; for it is like unto none other seed ; so doth 

this man betray his master's preaching. 
2nd Phar. {Loudly.) He hath likewise an evil spirit and 

a proud, of his own nature ; else would he show 

reverence in high places, and in due season. 
Judas. Masters, this do I constantly, though not here. 
2nd Phar. Where dost thou show reverence ; before 

whom, and in what places ? 
Judas. In the presence of my Lord and Master Jesus, 

who is Christ, and in the Temple of the True 

Spirit. 
Scribe. Which temple callest thou the Temple of the 

True Spirit ? — is not the great Temple of Jerusalem 

the temple of the True Spirit ? 
1st Phar. Is it not? 
Scribe. {Aside to Pharisees,) Let be — let be — now will 

he utter blasphemy and so become amenable to 

death by the law. 
Judas. iVll temples are of the True Spirit wherein the 

truth is taught ; and wheresoever Christ teacheth, 

there will ye find the temple of the True Spirit. 
Scribe. He answereth cunningly, and by his lesson. 
Judas. {Aside.) And it shall have dominion over all the 

earth ! 
1st Phar. Tell us now, and speak no longer with a double 

tongue, wherefore followest thou this man Jesus ? 

The motives of his preaching, what are thev but 
b2 



4 Judas Iscariot. [Act I, 

the zeal of one wlio seeks to climb to a high place, 
perhaps to the highest place, even to that of the 
High Priest of Jerusalem. 

Scribe. Or being mad, perchance he would be a High 
Priest over all other High Priests. 

2nd Phar. Aspiring, moreover, in the summit of tliat 
madness, to the throne of Judea. 

1st Phar. Thereto he leadeth an ungodly and a vicious 
life, consorting with publicans and sinners, pro- 
faning the sabbath with work, and declaring to 
women of vicious courses that their sins are forgiven 
them. 

Scribe. In secret he doeth many evil things. He is fol- 
lowed by divers women, and by two or three in 
especial. 

Judas. Openly ; and in secret doth he nothing. This ye 
know very well. 

1st Phar. We know it not as ye say. We believe other- 
wise than ye say. 

Scribe. Behold the story this carpenter's son telleth of 
his miraculous birth, whereby lie seeketh to hide 
the wickedness of her that bare him. Of his car- 
penter father never maketh he mention, as though 
he knew not the man, but exalteth himself into 
the Son of God in a diviner sense than any of us 
are sons of God ! 

1st Phar. What manner of man is he who uttereth blas- 
phemies like these, and yet prevaileth over a multi- 
tude, so that they kneel down and bless his feet, 
and follow him whithersoever he listeth ? 

Judas. They follow him because they believe in him ; and 
desert the teaching of the Scribes, and the austere 
hypocrisy of the Pharisees, because they know 
there is no truth in your hearts. Wherefore do 
his followers multiply dailj^, while yours decrease. 

1st Phar. This folly runs too fast. It must be stopped. 

Judas. {Aside.) Too fast! — oh far too patiently and slow, 
else would none dare utter these things. 

1st Phar. The blossoms of the fig are secret and hidden 
from the light, and evil thoughts ripen in darkness, 

2nd Phar. Thou hast speedily answered all our accusations 



Sc. L] A Miracle Play. 5 

that were in the lesson thou hast been taught, but 
when we teil thee him thou followest goeth too fast, 
and must come to his end, then speakest thou 
nought. 

Scribe. His miracles, also, and the cures that he hath 
wrought, w^hat are they ? 

1st Phar. Are they not the work of an unclean spirit? 
— of devils, which defile us even in the hearing of 
their deeds ? 

2nd Phar, Let us to the baths — let us wash ourselves 
and purify ourselves from all this wickedness. 

[Exeunt Pharisees. 

Judas. {Aside.) I would that Jesus could feel these taunts 
even as I feel them, then would he command Beel- 
zebub with a legion of devils to seek abode in these 
men's breasts, and with the struggle for more space 
wherein to curse and to destroy, thereby torment 
them terribly, and urge them to and fro as with a 
fiery wind pent up. I would he did this at once, 
and so enforced their belief in his power, and in his 
mission upon earth. 

Scribe. Thou reasonest Judas upon our words, and taking 
counsel with thyself, peradventure dost repent thee. 
Wilt thou have wisdom, and wilt thou do a righteous 
act? 

Judas. What act ? 

Scribe. It were a virtuous thing to give this impostor into 
the hands of the law. Verily, the reward would 
be forthcoming. 

Judas. Go thy ways. I took thee for a buyer and seller 
of lies, and am not deceived. 

Scribe, hxt thou not that Judas who beareth the bag of 
coin for Jesus and his followers ; the treasurer of 
the son of a Nazarene carpenter, yea and of his 
fishermen ? hjct thou not he who putteth his private 
hand into the common purse whensoever the vice of 
thy blood calleth for food? — and now dost thou 
seek to look virtuous, and take pride in an honest 
palm ? Verily thou art a weak knave who folio weth 
the footsteps of one who is mad with his ow^n folly. 

[Exit Scribe. 



6 Judas Iscariot, [Act I, 

Judas. Would I were Christ ! — or that the power he holds 
So placidly, were given to my hand 
For one short hour ! Why moveth not his work 
More rapidly and widely, since the time 
Crieth aloud for it, and Misery sits 
Wringing her hands at poor men's doors? The 

people 
Oppressed by priests, and pharisees, and scribes, 
Grievously hate them, and desert their teaching 
To follow Jesus ; yet he slowly walks 
In dangerous places where we may be stoned. 
Scourged, crucified, imprisoned, slain by the sword. 
While meekly he pursueth still his way, 
Secure, by reason of the Spirit of God 
\¥hich ever dwelleth in him. Martyrdom 
¥/alks always by our side, sits by our bed. 
And smileth on our hunger and scant robes. 
But, if escaping, are we to grow old 
In houseless journeys, toil, and penury ; 
Jeer'd, scoff' d at, and reviled from manhood's prime 
Till our white beards touch close upon the grave. 
And we drop in unhonoured ? All the signs 
And tokens of a season ripe for change. 
Greater than man e'er dreamed of, fill the sky. 
And the earth mutters underneath my feet 
"Tis time! 'tis time!' The overthrow and scat- 
tering 
Of the old thrones, temples, and synagogues. 
Halls of injustice, schools of ignorant scribes, 
And palaces of pharisaic pride. 
Whose owners preach humiility — all hang 
Upon the breath of Jesus. He passeth on 
Teaching and healing, nor can I discern 
One smile of secret consciousness that soon 
All this shall end — and his true kingdom, come. 
Somewhat he lacketh. He is great of soul. 



Sc. /.] A Miracle Play. 7 

Filled with divine power, but too angel-sweet 

For turbulent earth and its gross exigencies ; 

Strong in design, and magnanimity. 

Forbearance, fortitude, and lovingness. 

He lacketh still the vehement kingly will — 

Will, bred of earth and all that it inherits — 

To seize the mountain by its forest hair 

And whirl it into dust. On that soft plain, 

The Temple of his Father — the true Spirit- — 

Straightway might we erect, and not lie hid 

In secret places, like forlorn wild beasts 

Who dread the hunter's spear. Why doth he wait ? 

Would he were seized ! — condemned to instant 

death — 
Set on a brink, and all his hopes for man 
Endangered by his fall — till these extremes 

Drew violent lightning from him ! 

How, if this 

Were brought about ? — The means, like portals wide 

Are open. But the vacant passage teems ! 

iVnd as I look on it — slowly there rise 

Pale Forms, that gaze around ! 

They do not see me, 

But only see the deed that's in my thought. 

I will pass through ye. Ghosts ! 

They fade away. 

{He pauses.) 

Were 't good with Jesus' followers I took counsel ? 
A strong deed prospereth best in company. 
If all agree ; — securest done alone. 

[Exit, 



Judas Iscariot. {Act I. 



SCENE II. 

The Chamber of the High Priest in the Temple of 
Jerusalem. 

Caiaphas, the High Priest, seated in his chair, discoursing 
with Priests «?2c? Elders, seated on the marhle floor. 
NicoDEMUS reclines thoughtfully on one side. 

Caia. And from this city where we preach, and rule, 
Yea, from the highest altar, do they flock ; 
From Idumeea, and beyond the banks 
Of Jordan, flock they, and from GaUlee — 
From Dan to Beersheba ! 

1st Priest. Of a yerity 

Their reason hath departed. 

Caia. Multitudes 

From Tyre and Sidon like great floods pour down 
To hear him preach ! 

1st Elder. The arch-impostor Jesus 

Hath also wrought strange cures. 

Caia. Praying and teaching ! 

And followed for these things, as though pure oil. 
Honey, and wine, and spices, came alone 
From rocky Nazareth ! Out of barrenness 
Unnatural fires are kindled in their minds. 

2nd Elder. Great miracles too ! 

Caia. Deceptions of the eye ! 

Nico. Truly he looketh with a wondrous look 
Whose quietness is like unto a lake 
Of unknown depth, which lieth in the shade. 
Yet hath a gleam as from some hidden Hght. 

Caia. Not of his look I spake, but of the eye 

Of dazzled multitudes, who thought they saw 
Thousands of loayes and fishes. 



Sc, IL] A Miracle Play. 

Nico. Also thought 

That they did eat thereof, 
Caia. As men in dreams, 

Or with confounded senses, objects see. 

Colours and forms which are not, and can taste 

Water as wine ; — but these things have an end. 
1st Priest. And this were good. 
2nd Priest. Would it w^ere come ! 
Nico. How end ? 
Caia. How, but with death ! Already have we sent 

To lay hands on him. 
Nico. Have a care in this : 

The people love him with exceeding love. 
Caia. And others are suspected — men of note — 

Who follow hira in secret. 
isT Priest. He hath lures 

For every sort of bird — baits for all fish. 
1st Elder. Therefore take counsel with your officers 

That they act prudently. 

Enter Scribe and Two Pharisees. 

1st Phar. O, Caiaphas! 

Hear a new miracle. The dead hath risen 
Again — with wonders greater than before ! 

Caia. Where? 

1st Priest. Who hath wrought this? 

1st Phar. Lazarus, who was dead. 

After four days' entombment — yea, 'tis true — 
Hath come to life, and in his grave-clothes prayed 
In silence — lifting up his corded hands ! 

Scribe. Hah hi, it is not lawful. 

Caia. Who hath done this ? 

1st Phar. Jesus! 

(Priests and Elders murhiur.) 

2nd PhaRc But the officers and men w-e sent 
B 3 



10 Judas Is car lot. Act I.'] 

To seize, or slay him, may have proved their worth ; 
And all his dealings with the other world 
Will trouble us no more. 
Scribe. The fishermen — 

Sinners and publicans — loose women — children — 
And all the multitudes who left the schools 
Of Hillel and Schammai, halls, synagogues. 
Even to the Rabboni turning a deaf ear. 
Will then come back each to his proper house ; 
And wisdom, learning, law, the priests, and God, 
Again find reverence. 

Enter a Centurion and two other Officers, 

1st Priest. Lo! our officers! 

1 ST Ph AR. Are these the rough men who went forth in steel. 

Spears in their hands, and with a savage joy 

To do our bidding ? 
2nd Priest. Come ye thus alone ? 
Nico. Something hath moved them. 
Caia. Why have ye not brought him ? 
Centur. Never man spake like this man. 
1st Offi. We stood with the rest to listen, and the air 

grew silent before his words. Our spears slipped 

through our hands upon the ground ; our swords 

were as shadows upon the wall. 
Centur. When he approached us, we stood aside to let 

him pass, and no one dared lay hands upon him. 
Caia. Are ye also deceived ! 
Scribe. Behold the ignorance of these fellows, how it 

maketh their knees tremble. 
2nd Phar. Have any of the rulers, or of the pharisees 

believed in his teaching and his miracles ? 
Scribe. Verily this people who know^eth not the law, is 

cursed. And Jesus is he who leadeth them astray 

from it. 
Nico. Doth our law judge any man before it hear him, 

and know what he doeth ? 



Sc. 77.] A Miracle Play. ii 

Caia. {Rising.) Art thou also of Galilee ? Search^ and 
look, for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet ! 

[Exeunt all hut Caiaphas, Priests, ayid Pharisees. 

1st Priest. Truly these things are very strange. 

2nd Priest. And besides, damnable. He saith that he 
is the Son of God, which we know to be false ; and 
he also saith that he is the Son of Man, which we 
may well doubt, for the acts which he doeth are 
like unto the works of a child of Beelzebub. 

1st Phar. He doeth what he listeth, and all the people 
who come near him believe in him. 

2nd Priest. Yea, even the Pharisee Nicodemus believeth 
in him. 

1st Priest. Our officers and soldiers stand aside to let 
him pass, bowing their heads to the ground when 
they should raise their hands to smite him down ; 
and peradventure some of the scribes and elders 
shall soon come to hearken unto his preaching. 

Caia. All they who hearken to it are accursed. Have a 
care. I know a Levite, a rich man of Bethoran, 
who in his youth was a singer in the tabernacle, 
and afterwards a player upon the ten-stringed oshur ; 
and now he is a follower of Jesus ! Wherefore may 
everlasting fires sing and roar around him, and his 
ears hear the cries of many demons cursing him 
evermore. Let all who have held offices in the 
temple or the tabernacle take heed — yea, let them 
be exceeding watchful that their feet trip not. 

2nd Priest. But the officers and soldiers, O Caiaphas, 
were men of weak mind. 

1st Phar. Unlike unto those who have walked in sacred 
places and been accustomed to hear the ancient law 
of Moses and the Prophets. 

1st Priest. And the Levite of Bethoran was as one who 
is deaf; wherefore his ears received no wisdom in 
his youth. 

2nd Priest. Some other means must be devised whereby 
Jesus shall be stopped in his preaching. 

2nd Phar. If we let him alone, all men will believe on 



12 Judas Iscariot. [Act I, 

him, and the Romans shall come and take away 
both our place and nation. 

Caia. Ye know nothing at all ; nor consider that it is ex- 
pedient for us that one man should die for the peo- 
ple, and that the whole nation perish not. 

2nd Priest. Thou say est wisely, O Caiaphas ; there is 
nothing but his death that shall serve us. 

1st Priest. And peradventure this righteous suggestion 
shall be accounted a prophecy by the nations who 
live after us. 

Caia. I would that it were so ; but the sword lingereth. 

Enter Judas. 

1st Priest. Thou also art one of those who follow Jesus ; 

and comest thou here before the High Priest ! 
2nd Priest. To kneel and to repent thee of thy back- 
sliding art thou here, else were thy life in much 

peril. 
Judas. I would seek the High Priest, having a troubled 

mind. 
Caia. Speak, for there is mercy in the great temple to such 

as repent them truly. 
Judas. I have bethought me — [he hesitates] and in the 

night have I resolved to do it. 
Caia. On what hast thou resolved? 
Judas. {Hesitating,) Concerning that which I had 

thought. 
Caia. Hast thou left the teaching of Jesus ? 
Judas. I have left him. 
1st Priest. Peradventure thou comest here to hearken 

unto the words of the High Priest, and how he 

teacheth 1 
2nd Priest. i\.nd to note the difference between the 

twain — yea between the High Priest, in his chamber, 

and the homeless Nazarene. 

(Judas maheth a sign of assent.) 
3rd Priest. Verily thou dost well in this. 

[Judas turneth aside, resting his head in his hands. 
Caia. It is not the season, Judas, to speak with thee of 

divine things, — of things derived from our holy law 



Sc. IL] A Miracle Play, 13 

and prophets, seeing thou art as one newly come 
into the world, with a spirit all unused to righteous- 
ness, and with feet that have not trod in sacred 
places. 

2nd Priest. And worse than this, thy spirit hath 
hearkened unto the councils of devils, and thy 
feet have followed in their track. 

Caia. {To Priest.) Let he. (To Judas.) Somewhat, how- 
ever, art thou capable of understanding ; and of 
earthly things, therefore, must thou first hear from 
the elders and scribes ; for though the scribes sit 
in Moses' seat, yet do they look down compassion- 
ately upon such as need human knowledge, and the 
sciences thereof. 

1st Priest. And they vdll teach thee with true words. 

Caia. The mighty plain, and the rough level of the earth 
we inhabit, this shalt thou learn, and also of the 
waters which flow all round about it, v/herein it 
floateth, and of the clouds and heavens which en- 
close the waters. And your heart shall treasure up 
these words. 

2nd Priest. (In a low voice.) And your heart shall trea- 
sure up these words. 

Judas. (Aside.) Shall I turn back now that I am so far? 

Caia. Of the heavens themselves, — the great sun that 
rolleth round about the earth ; and the moon, 
which is of like size and distance, but of like shape 
once only in her period, and then dwindleth away 
even unto an harvest sickle, which is understood by 
the records ; and of the multitudes of stars, wdiich 
are marvellous in their ways, and the slowness of 
their growth,— all this shalt thou be taught. 

Priests. (In a low tone,) And your heart shall treasure 
up these words. 

Caia. Of the boundaries of the earth shalt thou hear, and 
of foreign countries, yea from Sephar to Ophir, 
from the rocks of Caucasus, and from the lands 
beyond Tarshish which are the edges of the earth. 

Priests. And your heart shall treasure up these words. 

Caia. Also the arts of trading and of commerce mayst 
thou be taught ; and warned in good season against 



14 Judas Iscariot, [Act I. 

mucli dealing with strange people ; for that which 
was wisdom in Solomon, who encouraged this, is 
no longer held good for the people. 

Priests. And your heart shall treasure up these words. 

Caia. Of fishing and of carpentry need I not speak, nor 
peradventure of agriculture and the tending upon 
sheep ; neither shall I speak of the rocks and 
metals underneath the earth, — of its sands, and its 
sparkling darkness many cubits downwards, until 
arriving on the burning confines of the abyss of 
hell. But when thou shalt arrive at this know- 
ledge, then shall begin thy instruction in the 
divine law. 

Priests. Let your heart — 

Judas. {Raising his head.) I come, O Caiaphas, to betray 
Jesus unto thee, yea to give him into your hands. 

Caia. It is good. 

1st Priest. Thou speakest wisely, and with a repentant 
heart. 

3rd Priest. Thy words, O Caiaphas, have prevailed over 
him ; over the teaching of the Nazarene hast thou 
prevailed. 

2nd Priest. {To Judas.) But is thy repentance true ; 
or dost thou come to act cunningly with us ? 

Caia. Can this be so ? 

2nd Priest. Wherefore dost thou come to betray Jesus 
unto punishment ? Hath he offended thee ? Hath 
he taken the bag out of thy hands ? 

1st Priest. Or art thou needy, and seekest thou a re- 
ward ? 

Judas. Thou sayest rightly. I would have thirty pieces 
of silver for my reward. 

Caia. Let them be counted out before him. His spirit is 
humbled by my words so that he speaketh with a 
discreet tongue, 

[Judas stands aside at one of the windrows 
lohile the thirty pieces are counted out. 

Scene closes. 



Sc. TIL] A Miracle Play, 15 



SCENE III. 
The Garden of Gethsemane, 

Enter Nicodemus and Claudia. 

Clau. This also have I heard. 
Nico. A divine man : 

It is past all doubt. The lame, the blind, the sick. 

Touch but his garment's hem, and they are healed. 

Even the dead rise. 
Clau. And now Lazarus, 

Who was entombed four days ! The Spirit of God 

Must surely dwell with Jesus. 
Nico. Old and young — 

All he receive th. Women in crowds, and children 

Follow him. Little children in his arms 

He foldeth up, and blesseth them. 
Clau. Canst thou bring me 

Where I may see him ? 
Nico. I will watch a time 

For this ; and speedily, since there is doubt 

How long he tarry with us. 
Clau. Thou dost speak 

Like one who sorroweth. If he depart 

Out of Jerusalem, he will return 

After his journey ? 
Nico. He will wo^ return. {Exeunt,) 

Enter Peter, John, James, and Judas. 

Peter. If his word move all hearts, where'er he goetb. 
As doth the sun who looketh on the waves, 
Call'st thou the light too slow? The divine word 



16 Judas Iscariot. {Act I. 

He preaclieth, and the spirit of his Hfe, 

Are they not quick to reach large multitudes, 

Daily ? 

Judas. But since our days are but a span. 

Or we may suffer death by martyrdom, 
For us it seemeth slow. 

John. No time is slow, 

"While love goes with it ; wherefore our Lord's good 

time 
Let us abide in full faith. 

James. What are we. 

That we should question him ? 

Judas. But while his power 

Could silence their revilings and their taunts. 
Set aside all their doctrines and harsh laws, 
Wither their soldiers' hands — cast down their walls, 
And in the place a mighty Temple erect 
To the True Spirit — even to his Father, God — 
Behold, instead, he wandereth by the way, 
Even as an outcast, and the wicked sit 
In the high places, as of old. 

Peter. Nay, Judas ; 

Not as of old, vdth all the future theirs — 

For so it seemed — but as things doomed to die. 

Since the bright star of Bethlehem arose. 

John. Their nights are numbered. Jesus can breathe one 
breath — 
And all who now sit crowned shall fade in air. 
While from the misty silence, to the sweetness 
Of psaltery, dulcimer, and angel quire, 
His own great Kingdom burneth into view ! 

Judas. I say this to myself most constantly! 
I know this — this I strongly feel. 

John. But when 

He shall thusbreathehis triumph, no man knovvetb, — 
Or it may be that first we must taste death ; 



Sc. Ill,] A Miracle Flay, \7 

And therefore should we bear with him the burden 

Of the wrong-doers and the blind. 
Judas. My heart 

Rebels against this suffering — seeing no end. 
James. When Jesus rules on earth, all pains will end. 
John. Lord, I am thine at all times, and my love 

Being equal to my hope, I wait in peace. 
Peter. Shall we not meanwhile suffer cheerfully 

All evils that may come ? 
Judas. What need of evils ? 

Have we not known enough of these already ; 

And why should Jesus suffer them ? My blood 

Leaps up against it. 
Peter. Thou shouldst rather kneel 

To Jesus, praying him to grant unto thee 

The blessing of his patience. 
John. And the joy. 

Serene and glorified, which comes to those 

Who well believing in his future kingdom. 

On earth — are not unmindful of the grave. 

[Exeunt Peter, John, and James. 
Judas. They are deaf. Why not his kingdom now on 
earth ? 

The grave can better wait than we. [He pauses J\ 

The air grows dark. — [Pauses,'] 

Time trembles in my heart. 

I have besought them warily, and I find 

My thought must be my act without their aid. 

Or counsel. — [Pauses.] 

Yonder dusky foliage moves ! 

There is no wind. I see the gleam of spears ! 

[Judas makes a sign, and Exit. 

Enter two Centurions with armed Soldiers. 
1st Cen. He signalled us that we should follow him. 
2nd Cen. But not too closely. 



18 Judas Iscariot, \_Act 7. 

1st Cen. Saw you not that bird 

Of evil omen in the gloomy grove ? 
A Sol. Master, this is a bad work. 
1st. Cen. Follow now. (Exeunt,) 

Enter Caiaphas and Pontius Pilate. 

Caia. Thou being a just man, and also of great wisdom, 
wilt surely consider the acts which he hath com- 
mitted how worthy they are of punishment at thy 
hands 1 
' Pilate. I cannot rightly know what he hath done till I 
have heard his accusers set it forth, and all those 
that come to bear witness against him. 

Caia. Of these there will be great numbers ; but the 
manifold sins of which he is accused, and the blas- 
phemies he hath spoken, are they not already 
known to thee ? 

Pilate. I have not heard him blaspheme, nor must I 
judge any of his sins beforehand, nor in private. 

Caia. Surely thou wilt condemn this man ; or how shall 
we be safe from others Hke unto him, and from 
them that follow him ! 

Pilate. They will all be exposed to the same law, there- 
fore take thou no fear of them. 

Caia. In all things, O Pilate, doth he interfere with the 
priests, so that they feel it sorely, and must cry 
aloud against it ; and thou, being a pious man fear- 
ing the gods of thy country, wilt assuredly condemn 
those who make a mockery and scorn of the priests 
of any holy faith, and its ceremonies, and traditions. 

Pilate. What hath he done against the Jewish priests ? 

Caia. He hath taught the people that all men are brothers, 
and should be equal ; that no man should be master 
and rabbi ; and that he is greatest who serveth 
most. What is this but evil speaking and false 
doctrine, and lying and slandering ? For do we 
not very well know, O Pilate, that the people are 
not the brothers of those who sit in high places, 
nor have they any equality except among their 



Sc, III,] A AJiracle Play, 19 

fellows who dwell with them. Are there not kings 
upon the earth, and high priests, and governors of 
great dignity, and many slaves? — Why answerest 
thou not a word? Besides these false doctrines 
which he teacheth everywhere openly, he hath 
wrought pretended miracles, or if not pretended he 
hath had the aid of demons therein ; and he hath 
moreover gone about healing the sick. Lepers, 
of each of the four kinds, — demoniacs, men and 
women sick of fevers, and agues, hath he healed ; 
the blind, the lame, and others suffering palsy and 
tephelim, and diseases of the reins, or suffering 
grievously in the liver and spleen — not by anointing 
with oil according to our sacred use, prescribed by 
ancient traditions for all these diseases, but by 
prayer and the laying on of hands ! Of a surety 
thou wilt visit all these acts with their just reward ? 

Pilate. I will see justice done upon him. 

[Sounds of tumult in a distant part of the 
garden, 

Caia. What is it ? 

Pilate. The sentence must await the forms of law. 

Caia. The tumult that we hear, knowest thou what it 
means ? 

Pilate. I know not. 

{Exit Pilate.) 

Caia. Yet shalt thou condemn him, unless he work a 
miracle to save himself. {Tumult increases,) The 
demons that minister unto him are of great strength. 

Enter Scribe and Two Pharisees 
followed by James. 

James. Will ye return to your houses to feast and make 
merry while this evil is committed ? Will no man 
turn aside to set free the Son of God ? 

Scribe. Ha-ha! doth he need aid, and dost thou ask it 
of us? 

1st Phar. What we do is righteousness, but he hath done 
and spoken abominations. 

Caia. If he be the Son of God, let him set himself free. 

[Tumult near at hand. 



20 Judas Iscariot. [Ad I. 

2nd Phar. They bear him to the house of Annas. If he 

be as this man sayeth, let him command the house 

of Annas that it fall down upon the heads of all 

within, while he cometh out whole. 

\_Exit Caiaphas. 
James. O, Scribes and Pharisees, boasters and teachers of 

virtuous things, how full of venom are your hearts ! 

Your words are as the hissing of serpents. 
Scribe. He hath taught thee that thou shouldst speak 

slanderously after his own fashion. 
2nd Phar. But the tongue of the slanderer shall be 

silenced. A coal of fire shall be put into his 

mouth. 

{Noise of many voices. A crowd passeth over 
between the trees at the back, with torches 
and with speai^s, 
James. They bear Him away ! 
Scribe. As for thee, return to thy boat which rotteth on 

the banks of the Galilean sea, and to thy nets which 

are full of holes. 
1st Phar. See here ! 

Enter Judas. 

Scribe. This fellow had a stiff neck, and yet a pliant ear, 
so that while he seemed to scorn my words he fol- 
lowed after a wise direction. 

1st Phar. {To Judas.) Thou shewest the true spirit of 
thy master's preaching, having betraj^ed him to 
the death of the slave, yea of the vilest thief. 

2nd Phar. I have seen the flying-serpent of the wilder- 
ness, how he moved upon his belly through the 
grass ; how he darted through the air upon his 
prey. 

Scribe. I stood upon an asp, and he turned and stung 
the Son of God with a venomous tooth. 

[Exeunt Scribe and Pharisees. 

James. Thou standest as a tree that the wind rendeth not, 
but thou art surely rotted at the core because thou 
hast done this thing. 



Sc. III.] A Miracle Play. 21 

Enter Mary (the Mother of Jesus), Mary (the Sister of 
Lazarus), Mary Magdalene, and Joseph of Ari- 

MATHEA. 

M. Magd. {To Judas.) Can the shades of night hide 

thee ; can the thick trees cover thee up, so that our 

curses reach thee not ? 
S. OF Laz. When the moon rises, whither wilt thou flee ; 

when the stars come out, what cavern shall be deep 

enough for thee ? 
M. Magd. Art thou indeed a man because of thy form ; 

can a beast of the field put on garments, and sit at 

meat, and have speech, and salute with a kiss ? 
James. Dost thou see this woman, the Mother of our 

Lord ; dost thou look upon her ? 
J. OF Ar. He turneth his head aside. He cannot endure 

her face — 
James. Though her eyes gaze not on him, and her tongue 

utteretli no word. 
M. Magd. {To Judas ) O that the lightning would run 

shivering down upon thee ! — that the black clouds 

would open a deluge over thee 1 
J. OF x\r. Let us leave Judas to himself, for there can be 

nothing more miserable on earth. Even Pity hides 

her head, and is afraid. And such is his reward. 

[Exeunt all except Judas. 

Judas. Wherefore be miserable ? Why should I feel y 
Thus heavy and cast down ? Reproachful words 
Were certain — natural— and they will change 
To praises and hosannas, when my deed 
Shall justify itself, and the Messiah, 
Compelled his power and terrors to reveal, 
Shall burn to stubble all their armed hosts. 
And sit enthroned. Then shall his followers, clad 
In gorgeous raiment — seated in golden chairs, 
The necks of enemies beneath their feet — 
In ecstacy unspeakable, behold 
Above the temple of Jerusalem 



22 Judas Iscariot. {Act I. 

His Temple rise with radiance that will make 
Aught else unseen ; and while his chosen priests 
Shall with exalted trumpets pierce the sky. 
And Scribes and Pharisees, scorched with inward 

flames 
Sink into heaps of ashes, will the name 
Of Judas echo from an Angel's voice. 
Crying, ' Behold, the one ordained of heaven 
To urge the great work of redemption on. 
Commencing with Christ's kingdom upon earth!' 



END OF ACT I. 



A Miracle Play, 23 

ACT II. 

SCENE I. 

A Marble Court in the Falace q/* Pontius Pilate. 

NicoDEMUs standing at the foot of a colossal Statue of 
Jupiter, 

Nico. Thou art of mighty structure, grand of brow. 
And capable to smite into the dust 
Thine own idolaters ; but all unlike 
The Father of mankind — the loving Spirit 
Whom Jesus hath declared the one true God, 
Above all terrible divinities. 
His words are as the seed of many thoughts 
That will spring up when he is in the tomb. 

Enter Claudia, with disordered rohes. 

What fearful tidings bring' st thou? — must he die? 
Clau. Is he condemned? — how goes it in the hall? 

Oh Nicodemus, I have had a dream ! 
Nico. What hast thou dreamed ? 
Clau. Of pious martyrdom — 

Ruin of empires — down-fall of the gods. 

It was at daybreak. Every moment since 

What I then suffered has surrounded me 

With equal terrors. 
Nico. Tell me this thy dream. 
Clau. Methought I sate upon an iron throne. 

And I was "Rome" — the Queen of all the world. 

Statues upheld my seat ; in front was Mars 

Shining like blood, and Plutus golden-winged 

And blind, as usual with the god. Behind 



24 Judas Iscariot, [Act II. 

Were other figures. These I could not see, 
And yet I felt them softly beat and stir 
With fearful life, beneath my heaying seat. 
The throne was on a basement, broad and high, 
Of silver molten, like a rolling sea 
When the sun glares athwart the streaming wind. 
Beneath me, in a yast unbroken crowd. 
The generations of the earth were kneeling ; 
And like great corn-fields bowing down their heads, 
In wayy masses far away they spread. 
Faint in the distance, mingling with the sky. 
Nico. This is some rey elation. 
Clau. Presently 

A long-robed figure with a yeiled head. 
Before me passed; a shepherd's crook he bore 
In his right hand, and at his side was slung 
An earthen water-vessel. 'Neath his veil 
I saw he wore a garland round his head. 
In his left hand a book lay open wide, 
Wherefrom he read aloud : — ''This is the book 
Which the Erythraean Sibyl sold to Tarquin. 
^ And here 'tis written, 'Woe to thee, O Rome, 
Thou art a murderess ! — also woe to thee. 
Murderous Jerusalem !' " The augur's book 
Closed with a clap of thunder. He was gone. 
Nico. • Because they murder Jesus ! Saw' st thou more? 
Clau. The great field of the people now displayed 
Bidges of shade and light, in contest fierce ; 
Then in the midst rose Jupiter, as here 
Thou see'st our nation's god; but more stupendous 
An hundred fold ; and o'er the crowds he moved, 
Taking no note of those he crushed. While yet 
I gazed and trembled, transformations strange 
Were wrought, and from his mouth a dreadful sword 
Sting-like was darted forth, and from his hands 
Were scattered deadly plagues. 
Nico. What dream is this ! 



Sc, /.] A Miracle Play, 25 

Clau. Now thunder came, which was his voice, and spake 
Words that I understood not, but my throne 
Shook from behind, and then I knew the form.s 
Supporting it, were Furies, Fates, and Hours ! 
Meanwhile the myriads kneehng all below. 
Sent up a cry, — for, lightnings that had played 
Round the god's head, had fallen, and the flames 
Were eating wide gaps through the living fields. 

Nico. Daughter, what manner of interpretation 
Would' st thou 

Clau. Hear more. The burning multitudes 

Held on their cry, until it brought an earthquake — 
Became articulate — and it was '^Christ!" 
Down through the earthquake's jaws sank Jupiter, 
And with him the Plague-scatterer and the Sword. 
" Christ !" cried the sufferers — and lo ! Christ came, 
Moving along the field — and all was still. 
Where lightnings played was now a smiling sky. 

Nico. And Christ? 

Clau. Was Jesus — he whom they prepare 

E'en now to martyr — Jesus the Nazarene ! 

Nico. Knoweth thy lord that thou hast had this dream ? 

Clau. No; he w^as risen ere day-break. I will send 
A messenger into the Judgment Hall, 
To warn him that he touch not this just man, 

Nico. I prythee haste! 

[Exeunt. 

Enter Judas, v)ho gazes after them. He then seats 
himself on a pediment opposite the statue. 

Judas. A dream ! They spake of sending 

To Pilate, seated in the Judgment Hall, 
To warn him. Aye, I knew it would be so. 
They spake in terror. In a little w^hile 
Pilate will come down from his judgment throne. 
And kneel at Jesus' feet to sue forgiveness. 



26 Judas Iscariot. [Act IL 

Enter Two Lawyers. 

1st Law. — I witnessed the whole, for I was curious therein, 
having heard marvellous things of Jesus, and of his 
public speaking. 

2nd Law. Tell me what thou knowest. I am but newly 
come to Jerusalem, in company with the Counsellor 
of Arimathea, who beareth a great love towards 
Jesus. 

1st Law. When that the centurions and their spearmen 
had girded up their loins, and called upon their 
gods for help, so that they were able to lay hands 
upon Jesus, they took him straightway to Annas, 
the father-in-law of Caiaphas, and second in autho- 
rity to him in the temple. But when x\nnas saw 
whom they had brought, he was afraid, and knew 
not what to do. And Jesus bade him take courage, 
that he should do what the law directed. But 
Annas turned away, telling them to take Jesus to 
Caiaphas, for it was fit that he should go before 
the High Priest. So they took Jesus before 
Caiaphas. 

2nd Law. What said the High Priest unto him ? 

1st Law. Caiaphas adjured him by the living God that he 
should say if he were the Christ, the chosen of the 
Lord. And Jesus answered that he was the Christ, 
and that hereafter he should be seen sitting at the 
right hand of God. Then Caiaphas rent his robes; 
and the splendour of his vestments spared he not at 
all, — crying aloud, '' He hath spoken blasphemy — 
what need of further witnesses — ye have heard him 
— what should be his sentence ?" Then the priests, 
and scribes, and elders of the Sanhedrim, all an- 
swered with loud voices, " He is guilty of death !" 

(Judas folds his arms.) 

2nd Law. But how came he hither to be judged in yonder 
hall where Pilate now sits ? 

1st Law. After several of the servants, and others that 
were there, had smitten Jesus and scoifed at him, 
and spat upon him, the priests and scribes sent him 
to remain amidst the soldiers who sat around the 



Sc. X] A Miracle Play. 27 

fire ; and they mocked him through the night, and 
peradventure they wrought him bodily pain and 
injury for their sport. 

Judas. The fiery ending of their sport will be the begin- 
ning of my gladness. 

1st Law. What saith he? 

2nd Law. Somewhat in hatred of the soldiers. Knowest 
thou aught else ? 

1st Law. This morning Caiaphas sent Jesus unto Pilate 
to be condemned to some manner of death. But 
Pilate said, '^Nay — take him, and judge him your- 
selves by your law.'"* They answered and said, 
^' We cannot put any one to death, as thou knowest. 
He must die by the Roman law." Then Pilate 
said to Jesus, "Art thou the King of the Jews?" 
And Jesus answered and said, " My kingdom is not 
of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, 
then would my servants fight, that I should not be 
delivered to the Jews." 

Judas. {Aside.) Said he that his servants would fight if 
his kingdom were of this world ? What need that 
his servants should rise up to fight when thousands 
of Archangels will descend from heaven at his bid- 
ding ! Yea — this world also is his kingdom. 

2nd Law. Therefore Pilate would not condemn him ? 

1st Law. Thou sayest well ; and he sent him to Herod that 
the King might judge him. Now Herod had a great 
wish to see Jesus, who had wrought so many mar- 
vels ; and he looked that some miracles or wonders 
would be wrought in his presence. But Jesus held 
his peace, and he lifted not his hand to do any 
wonder. So Herod and his men of war scoffed at 
Jesus, and sent him back to Pilate. 

Judas. {Half aside.) The miracles you ask will come 
anon, but not in such sort as ye desire. 

{Shouts outside the walls; — ^^ Away with him f 
" Away with him /") 

Enter an Elder. 

2nd Law. Why do the people shout ? 

c 2 



28 Judas Iscariot. [Act IL 

Elder. Pilate hath again been forth to them, saying that 

he findeth no fault with Jesus. 
Judas. (Aloud.) He beareth in mind the warning of his 

wife, and lo, he is wisely terrified with that which 

God revealed to her in a dream. 
2nd Law. All this is very marvellous. 
1st Law. But it is also natural. 
Judas. More — m.ore. 
Elder. {To Judas.) Hold thy peace, lest evil befal thee 

for thy speech. 

Entei' Three Priests. 

1st Priest. Let them shut the windows of the Judgment 
Hall ; we shall hear nothing worth. 

Elder. Stood ye near enough outside the windows to hear 
all that was said, and yet to avoid being defiled ? 

2nd Priest. Yes ; but Jesus spake not. 

1st Law. I marvel that he uttered not his nicest oratory 
with a subtle tongue. 

2nd Priest. He held his peace, or o ily spake with inso- 
lent and contumacious fewness of words. 

Judas. Presently he shall speak that which ye expected 
not to hear. 

1st Law Let us go to the outside beneath the open 
windows. 

[Exeunt Two Lawyers. 

2nd Priest. Wherefore should Pilate hesitate to condemn 

him to death, and wherefore came he out twice unto 

us with vain words ? 
Judas. Other words are coming that shall dry up your 

ears, as the things that shall follow will sting 

through your sight. 
1st Priest. Who is this fellow that sitteth on one side, 

and threateneth with a forked tongue, like a viper 

in the shade? 
3rd Priest. I saw a scourge in the hands of a soldier in 

the hall, and he was exercising his arm in the air. 
{Shouts outside.) 
Elder. Behold, Pilate hath a third time gone forth to the 

people ! 



Sci:] A Mu-acle Play. 29 

Judas, Pilate is sorely troubled. The hour ! — the hour ! 

(Shouts and curses outside. Cries of ^' CrucAfy 

him ! Crucify him /" 

{The Three Priests and the Elder ^*om in the shout: 

'^ Crucify him ! Crucify him /") 

Judas. Ha! ha! ye vultures, ye ravens — bloody wolves 

that have no sense of coming things ! 
3rd Priest. Have a care ; for thou art well known. 
Judas. (Rising up and lifting his arms in the air.) In a 
little while we shall all be known — yea, by the 
purification of fire, and the changes of thrones and 
high seats ! Our Lord, Christ, hath two kingdoms, 
one in heaven, and one upon earth, — though of this 
last he maketh no boast. But he holdeth it in the 
hollow of his hand ; and now he will grasp it fast, 
and deal v^dth it as he listeth. 

(Sounds of measured blows, proceeding from 
within the Hall of Judgment.) 
3rd Priest. Thou fool ! hearest thou the blows of the 
scourge in the Hall, and sayest thou that Jesus 
holdeth the earth in his hand ? 

Judas. The scourge ! 

1st Priest. Let him take the rods out of the hand that 
smiteth him ; that were power enough for his present 
need. 

(Measured sounds from the Hall continuing. 
Judas slowly re seats himself.) 

Enter Scribe and Two Pharisees. 

Sc. & Ph. Hail Masters, it is accomplished ! 

3rd Priest. He is condemned unto death? 

Sc. & Ph. To be crucified ! 

Scribe. Such is his sentence. 

1st Phar. Pilate came forth and washed his hands before 

us, saying, " I am innocent of the blood of this just 

person — see ye to it." 
3rd Priest. Called he this criminal a just person ! 
1st Priest. Whereupon all the people cried with a loud 

voice ''His blood be on us, and on our children." 
(Measured sounds from the Hall, continued. 



30 Judas Iscariot, [Act II. 

Scribe. And forthwith began the scourging that ye hear. 
We beheld the blood following the blows, and by 
this time the chastisement that precedeth his death 
hath driven the red stream down to his feet, and 
beneath the feet of those who stand around. 

Judas. {Rising and hurrying into the midst^ Seemed it 
indeed that there was real blood — the blood of Jesus 
that flowed beneath their feet ? 

{All shout in derision.) 

1st Priest, Think'st thou it was water or wine that 
issued from his loins ! 

Judas. {Stamping upon the pavement.) It was not blood! 
no blood have ye seen — neither shall Christ be 
crucified ! What is your sentence but a wind, and 
your condemnation but an echo of the voice of 
waters ! Verily, nothing of all this shall come to 
pass, but something else more terrible than the 
tongue of man can speak, shall burst upon you ! 
The Great Temple of Jesus, who is Christ and 
King, shall rise before you, as though the sun rose 
up glaring through the earth, even as it is wont to 
rise from the sea. 

{All shout in derision.) 

Scribe. {To the Priests and Pharisees.) The people have 
cried aloud that he should be crucified, and this 
is his sentence ; but let us take counsel awhile 
among ourselves whether some other death be not 
better suited. 

2nd Phar. What better can we devise ? 

Judas. {Abstractedly.) Dominion ! dominion ! — where 
is it? 

Scribe. Of strangling and stoning care I not to speak, 
neither of drowning wdth a weight about the neck ; 
but of the sawing asunder let us take note, even as 
was the custom in the old time before us. 

1st Priest. Not so; because the Prophet Isaiah died by 
that death, and because the idolater Manasseh 
ordered it. 

2nd Phar. Were it good that he were given to wild 
beasts ? 

Judas. {With anguish.) He is— he is ! 



Sc, L] A Miracle Play. 31 

2nd Priest. Not so; because the Prophet Daniel was cast 

into the den of lions. 
Scribe. But coining out whole and untouched, while 
Jesus would be rent in pieces, this might be re- 
garded as a fitting expiation. 
2nd Phar. Choose we rather the braying in the mortar, 

which is a goodly punishment. 
3rd Priest. I have bethought me in the night that we 
should burn him with slow fire, first sealing up his 
eyes, while his ears were filled with strange sounds 
as the heat of the furnace began to rise. This 
were lawful. 

{Tumult outside.) 
Scribe. Behold, what manner of King is he who slowly 
passeth along from the Hall ! His crown is a 
mockery of bloody thorns. Seest thou, Judas, 
yonder King with his crown 1 

[Judas rushes out, rending his garments and 
his heard. 
1st Priest. Let Jesus be crucified ; there is no other death 

so vile as this. 
All. Crucify him ! Crucify him ! 

\_Exeunt Omnes. 
{A crowd of Roman Military and Civil Officers, 
in merry conversation, pass across, and 
Exeunt, 

Enter Pontius Pilate and Claudia. 

Clau. Wherefore I pray my lord to use his power. 
Even to the utmost, listening to the voice 
Of heaven's high oracles, as in my dream 
Revealed; the voice of justice, which thou know'st 
Crieth aloud for him — ah, louder far 
Than all the curses of the yelling Jews ; 
The voice of natural feeling in your heart. 
Which saith ' be merciful ;' and last of all 
The voice of her who once within your eyes 
Was passing fair — your humble, loving wife. 

Pilate. Claudia. 



32 Judas hcariot, {Act II, 

Claud. I do intreat — my lord — 

Pilate. Be patient. 

Claud. I would be so~I ever after will — 

But patience now is certain death to him. 

Pilate. He teacheth patience. 

Claud. But not hardness of heart. 

Thou art not all so hard as thou appear' st^ 
And men believe ; the judgment throne is hard. 
Therefore thy bearing doth assort with it 
Of need, — an evil of authority. 
Not to be gainsayed nor avoided — 

Pilate. Wife, 

Be calm — and silent. He hath sought his death. 

Claud. Not so — not sought it — soldiers — 

Pilate. Claudia! 

It is enough. Three times did I go forth 

Unto the furious Jews, opening all chances 

For his release — whether by change of mind 

In the multitude— by fear, love, fickleness — 

Such as the memory of his miracles. 

His marvellous cures, preaching, and fortitude, — 

And something in his presence that betokened 

One of a spirit beyond martyrdom — 

Might well have bred, xllso I gave him time 

That he should well bethink himself, and use 

His wondrous gift of speech. But he was mute — 

Or when not mute, he exercised no power 

Of inspiration — wrought no miracle — 

Nor prophesied. For these things men had looked. 

Excitedly, — the which I waited for. 

To turn to his account. 

Enter Judas behind. 

Claud. And not one word 
Spake he — 



Sc. IL] A Miracle Play. 33 

Pilate. Nor gave one look — nor made one sign 
To save himself — nor manifested wish 
That I should save him. Wherefore I conclude 
It was his purpose, and his will to die. 

Claud. Woe to thee, Rome ! thou art a murderess ! 
Woe to Jerusalem — a murderess also ! 
Thus spake the augur in my dream. 

Pilate. His blood 

Is not on me — I have washed my hands ; and did so 

Before the people, as a last resource 

To make them pause. The bearded Hebrews 

howled, 
' His blood be upon us — and on our children.' 
So 5e it ! I did all I could, with safety, — 
And somewhat more than prudent, in my place. 
Not safe from all corruption, nor men's tongues. 
Therefore be thoughtful. Speak of this no more. 

[Exeunt Pilate and Claudia. 
(Judas slowly clasps and raises his hands.) 

Judas. Now Darkness, build a Temple o'er my soul. 
And let a torrent roll around the base 
To drown the stars ! Let the high priest be Death, 
xlnd on the altar place the accursed form 
Of Judas, ever dying, yet alive 
To constant sacrifice — while tongues of fire 
Follow the knife's course, shrieking out his sin 
Through every running vein ! Come, monstrous 

Hell, 
And be a friend to Judas !— from earth's eye. 
Swallow him up — and from the eye of heaven, 
{Sinks down with his face in the dust.) 

(Scene closes.) 



c 3 



34 Judas Iscariot, [Act II. 



SCENE II. 

Interior of the Temple of Jerusalem. Outer Courts and 
Eastern Gate visible, with the Mount of Olives in the 
distance. 

Enter Caiaphas, Annas, and an Elder. 

Elder. I was among the crowd, and near unto the officers 
and soldiers, noting all things even as ye had 
desired me, but taking no active part therein. 
And I say again, thus did the soldiers. 

Annas. Stepped they backward many paces ? 

Elder. They retired from before Jesus, and fell down 
upon the earth, as if they had suddenly beheld the 
glory of a great light. 

Caia. Thou speakest as if he had wrought upon their 
spirits ; but have we not proof that his followers 
were armed, and did battle for him. Verily, my 
servant Malchus had been cleft in twain, but that 
the sword of his assailant glanced aside in his fury. 

Elder. He that smote him, Jesus reproved. 

Annas. Then came the soldiers once more to seize him, 
and sayest thou he offered no resistance ? 

Elder. They were troubled at the sight of him ; but he 
gave himself up to be bound. Had he raised his 
hand, or prophesied, so would they all again have 
fallen to the earth. But he gave himself peacefully 
into their charge. 

Caia. How knowest thou what more the soldiers had done 
if he had resisted them? Shall men of good 
estate be permitted to speak with a foolish tongue ? 
It hath been told me that certain pharisees sent to 
Jesus, ere this, to warn him that he should escape ! 
Shall the disease spread so deep and climb so high, 
and the heavens put on no blackness ? How- 
beit he is now secured, and condemned to death, 
and an end hath come to all his blasphemies, and 
to the evil he hath sent abroad into men's spirits. 



Sc. IL] A Miracle Play, 35 

Annas. In good season hath it all ended. 

Caia. Therefore have we devised the extremity of all dis- 
grace to attend upon the manner of his death ; by 
crucifixion and by the companionship of thieves, so 
that no disciples shall go forth in future without 
fear of stoning, and no man utter the name of Jesus 
without shame and scorn. 

Annas. Who is he that cometh yonder up the steps of 
the court, profaning the Temple ? 

Elder. Peradventure one of the artificers or labourers, who 
work in the outer buildings. 

Annas. A bibber of wine! — for, see how he rusheth and 
reeleth forward ! His presence here is death by 
the law ! 

Elder. Hath he fallen upon the lowermost steps, that ye 
see him not again ? 

Annas. His head riseth above the upper pavement ! 

Caia. Wherefore cometh he ? Hath he also a sword ? 

Annas. He hath not put off his shoes ! 

Elder. Behold, his garments are rent! — he hath a ragged 
tawny beard — his eyes are red with blood — and his 
mouth is wide open, that uttereth no sound ! 

Enter Judas wildly. 

Caia. Whom seekest thou ? Barest thou affront the High 

Priest ! 
Annas. Knowest thou the man ? 
Caia. I know him. This is he who betrayed Jesus to 

justice for thirty pieces of silver. 
Elder. Speak, profaner of the Temple ! 
Judas. I have sinned ! — I have betrayed innocent blood ! 
Caia. What is that to us ? See thou to that ! 

(Judas staggers on one side towards the altar ^ 
Elder. His eyes glare — the foam gusheth through his 

teeth ! 
Caia. Behold what he doeth ! Behold, he graspeth the 

golden horns of the altar ! 
Elder. He hath a horror that riseth up amidst his hair : — 

wrath and madness are bursting out of his mouth ! 



36 Judas Iscariot, {Act 11. 

Annas. Give him more pieces— give him pieces of gold, 

and let him go his ways ! 
Caia. He thrusteth one hand into his breast to tear out 
his heart ! See that he pollute not the Temple ! — 
have a care of God's holy place, and of God's 
anointed ministers ! 
Annas. He hath a demon ! 

[Judas dashes a handful of silver pieces upon 
the pavement, and rushes away out of sight. 

{Scene closes,) 



SCENE III. 

The field of Aceldama^ flanked by a wood. Mount 
Calvary in the distance. Time, evening. 

Enter John, James, and Peter with his face hidden in 
his hands. 

John. Take comfort ; for our Lord hath often said 
The truth that rests at bottom of the heart, 
By that shall ye be judged ; let it come forth 
lu act, and then 'tis virtue. 

Peter. How did truth 

Come forth in me ? 

John, 'Twas but an accident 

Of half thy nature ; but when thou didst draw 
Thy sword, then spake thy heart; — and deeper spake 
When at his bidding thou didst sheath the blade. 
Come on with us. 

James. Come, see our Master die. 



Sc, ///.] A Miracle Play. 37 

That our last lesson from him — how to bear 

The loss of earthly hopes for the truth's sake. 

We may receive. 
Peter. And also how to give 

Our life in martyrdom for his dear name. 
John. Come, Peter! — brother, come! 
Peter. I am unworthy. 

\Exit Peter. 
John. Our Lord is on his way. Hear you the noise 

Of the distant multitude ? 
James. Where shall we stand ? 
John. Beside his lofty Cross, until it tremble 

With his last anguish — and his victory. 

\Exeunt. 

Enter a crowd of Jeioish people ; men, women and children; 

with a number of Roman soldiers mingling among them, 
{Many Jewish voices cry aloud, — 

^^ Crucify him ! crucify him ! 

^^ His blood be on us, and on our children !" 

[Exeunt. 

Enter Judas, vnth a handful of earth clutched 
in his fingers. 

Judas. If he, being Son of God, consent to die. 

Seeming to prove the truth of all their taunts ; — 
If, with the power he hath to smite this city — 
The temple, tabernacle, all the hosts 
And men of valour — pharisees, scribes, priests — 
He will not speak — he will not lift his hand ; — 
If truly, God in him, can with a thought 
Bring earthquake underneath Jerusalem, 
To swallow all, save his own chosen flock. 
Yet he consent meekly to be nailed down 
Upon a felon's Cross, which they have sworn 
To plant on yonder mount between two thieves. 



38 Judas Iscariot, [Act 11. 

There, 'midst revilings, taunts, and jeers, to die — 
The drooping head, the languishing swoU'n Hmbs — 
He — our Lord Jesus — whom I have betrayed, 
Dying this death — O God, the Eternal Eye ! 
Scorch up this reasoning —blight each maddening 

sense — 
Confuse my life with any creeping thing, 
So that I know it not — make me a stone, 
Wherefrom no iron-heel shall strike one spark — 
Make me a darkness ! — let me melt to rain. 
And steal beneath the earth! I hear them coming! 

(Judas drops on his knees.) 
Seest thou, Jehovah, him thou fashionedst 
With strength and order, what he hath become ? 
A wild and hideous perplexity. 
That hideth from himself! Oh pass him by. 
E'en as this clot of earth, which he scraped up 
To look for death, and leave this upper hell — 
And in especial save him from this night — 
See him not — know him not — nor ask for him. 

{Rising in terror.) 
Where is the man called Judas? — where is he? 
Thunder is in my brain — the clouds are silent. 
No where, Lord!^ — no where — Judas is no more 1 

{Voices of a distant crowd.) 

Enter Nicodemus and Joseph o/Arimathea. 

Nico. This is the man, Judas Iscariot! 

See where he lurketh underneath the trees ! 

Joseph. Let not our eyes behold him, lest we dream 

Of monstrous things that breed unholy thoughts. 
And loss of faith in nature. Hast thou seen 
The place I have selected for the tomb 
Of Jesus ? 

Nico. I have seen it. 



Sc. IIL] A Miracle Play. 39 

Judas. No ! no ! no ! 

He is not dead — he is the Son of God, 

And cannot die ! — why speak ye of the tomb ! 

Unless it be for Judas ? 
Joseph. Thither we 

Will bear his sacred body, and our hearts 

Shall dwell with him in that cold sepulchre 

Where glory seeketh rest within the shade. 
Nico. Aloes, and myrrh, and spices will I bring. 

And swathes of finest linen. 
Joseph. We must sue 

To Pilate first, that he should render us 

The body. 
(Judas smites his forehead with his earthy hand.) 
Nico. He will grant this, if alPs done 

With secrecy. 
Joseph. Lord Jesus, we attend thee ! 

[Exeunt Joseph and Nicodemus. 
Judas. The body, said they!— how the field whirls round ! 

A pharisee and a lawyer bury Christ ! 

Bury him ! — bury the Son of God ! 

And now 

The women come ! It is the Mother of Christ 

That walketh foremost with a steadfast eye, 

Red with her sleepless anguish, but no tear. 

Her thoughts are heavenward — ^ where shall I crouch 
down ? — 

I still must stare upon her ! 

Enter Mary {the Mother of Christ) and her Sister; 
Mary Magdalene, and Mary the wife of Cleophas, 

M. Mag. Twice he sank 

Beneath the weight — I saw him through the crowd. 
His pale, long-suffering face look'd up to God, 
And smiled. 



40 Judas Iscariot, [Act II, 

Wife of C. Then from his shoulders, newly scourged. 
Took they the cross, seeing he could not walk. 
For very faintness under blows and wounds. 

M. Magd. Not pitying, but cursing — shall I speak 
Of curses, and not use them ? 

{She points towards Judas.) 

M. Sister. 'Tis the shadow 
Of a tree-trunk. 

M. Magd. Behind it croucheth close 

A wild beast, gnashing in his impotence. 
Or in remorse, as vain. There is no hope 
That Judas shall find pardon on the earth, 
Nor in the grave. Earth with its myriad snakes, 
Hisseth against him, and the grave will utter 
A shriek at his approach ! Nothing remains 
For him but constant horror, and himself. 

Mother. Do not disturb the greatness of the hour. 

M. Sister. Jesus approacheth. Let us follow him, 
And take our places upon Calvary. 

\_Fxeunt, all but Judas. 

Judas. One saith, behold a monster ! another saith, 
Lo ! a wild beast ! 

(Sounds of an approaching crowd. Judas 
clasps his arms round a tree, and tears the 
hark with his teeth.) 

Enter Lazarus, solemnly, 
Laza. Cold with the shadows of the grave upon me, 
And dusky in my body and my mind, 
I yet do walk abroad with higher sense 
Of life ; — and round about me wonders float — 
Gleamings and whispers —and before my path 
God's finger sometimes writeth in the sand. 
Judas {iyi an audible whisper). Thou art one risen from 
the dead ! — Oh tell m.e. 
If the dead recollect their deeds on earth ? 



Sc, IIL] A Miracle Play. 41 

Laza. Somebody speaketh. 

Judas. Come no nearer to him. 



Thou saidst God's finger wrote upon the sand, 
What did it write ? — Judas Iscariot ? 
Laza. Doth thy crime fill thy mind to such a pass, 

Thou think' St God writeth of it? 
Judas. Verily. 

Laza. Then I will pray for thee. 
Judas. Oh terrible ! 

(Judas sinks behind the tree^ as Lazarus 
raises his hands.) 
Laza. Jehovah ! — Spirit of all life we know — - 

All life unknown — whether in earth or star, 
Or in the region men call death — Great Father 
Of the Divine One who is on his way 
To die upon a cross between two thieves — 
Let him, who seemeth awful to himself. 
Because he hath approached thy shadow nearer 
Than other men — and hath thereby a sense 
Of somewhat more profoundly spiritual 
Thrilling on all sides — offer up a prayer, 
Asking for mercy and a gentle death. 
In Christ's pure name, which halloweth all words ; — 
{Tumult near at hand.) 
Judas. — Quick ! quick ! I hear them. 

{A Concourse pass along the hack of the field, 
with a large Cross home in the midst of 
them. They ascend Calvary in the even- 
ing twilight.) 

Laza. Pardon me, O Christ, 

That I, bewildered with my double life — 

My hope and joy, each deep as is the grave. 

And melancholy by profundity — 

Have strayed from thy dear side at this great hour 

Of agony and triumph ! Lo, I follow. 

\Exit Lazarus. 



42 Judas Iscariot, [Act 11. 

Judas. The prayer ! the prayer for me^ O Lazarus ! 

The prayer 's unfinished, and he 's gone ! Will no one 
Haste after him — or fall at Jesus' feet 
And tell the history of my matchless sin. 
And that I never thought of death to him — 
Never believed in it — I dreamed of nothing 
But power's surpassing glory. Give me strength 
Ye fibrous trees — thou teeming earth — thou sky, 
With all thy mighty shades, that I may leave 
This hideousness, and follow him. On ! on! 
My limbs are cramped — my mouth is full of dust. 
Mine eyes spin webs of fire — Oh mercy, Christ ! 
Mercy ! for thou canst hear me from afar — 
Hear me scream " Mercy ! " 

{Distant sounds of the heavy blows of a hammer 
on Calvary,) 

Golgotha replies ! 

And all the echoes round Mount Calvary ! 

Can it be 1 Yes !— they nail him through the hands. 

I see the springing blood — it stains the vests 

Of those who murder him ! He prayeth for them — 

Forgive th them ! — me, too. Lord ! I have ever 

Loved thee — but I grew mad — and now I wake ! 

How pale he lies ! — how patient ! Cover me 

Ye bloody trees ! — ye flapping shadows snatch me 

Away into your caverns ! Lazarus ! 

Come back ! — will no one hear me ! 

{Heavy blows of a hammer echo from Calvary.) 

Through his feet 

The great nail slowly crushes ! — pierces down 

Into the wood ! Oh Pilate, once again — 

^Tis not too late — come forth unto the people — 

Command all this to cease — this mockery 

Tow'rds one who cannot die — and yet he will ! 

The Son of God will die ! Scribes, pharisees ! 



Sc. III.] A Miracle Play. 43 

Thou damned Caiaphas, and all the priests 
Thrice cursed of God, come here ! come here ! 
And see your work ! Your work and mine ! 
I meant it not — I never dreamed of this — 
Witness ye glaring creatures that whirl round me ! 
Witness my soul — witness before my God, 
For even I, name God, — I must — I must — 
And He will be the wise Judge ! See your work, 
Ye priests and rulers. Oh, I know my share. 
Hark ! hark ! — They raise the Cross ! 
They bear it to its bed — they drop its foot 
Heavily down I — The jar shakes all his frame 
With tortures — sickening ! Where is Death for me I 
Come wrestler — come ! take Judas in thine arms, 
And win, dark ideot — so shall Judas gain 
A hiding place ! 

(Judas tears out some long trailing thorns 
and green tendrils, and twisting them 
about his throat, rushes to a tree, ichich 
he ascends. 
Darkness spreads over the face of the earth.) 

Judas. {From the midst of the tree,) 
Mother of all the graves. 
Open them all for Judas ! 
Bid him, O, Mother of Corruption, seek 
The lowest, and the darkest ! Christ have mercy. 
And let him find it ! Plunge for ever down ! 

(Judas springs downwards — the tree falls 
with a crash, and covers his crushed body 
with its black foliage. 
The earth trembles. Graves open, — and pale 
Forms rise, and gaze around I) 

FINIS. 



MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 



" The delightful World comes after Death, and Paradise succeeds 
the Grave ; since the verdant state of things is the Symbol of the 
Resurrection, and to flourish in the state of Glory, we must first be 
sown in Corruption. Beside, the ancient practice of Noble Persons, 
to conclude in Garden-Graves, — and Urns themselves, of old, to be 
wrapt up in Flowers and Garlands." 

Sir Thomas Brown's Hydriotaphia ; 
Epist. Dedicat. 

Patet iEtheri ; clauditur Orbi. 

QuARLEs' Emblems. 



THE URN, 

A PASTOEAL MOI^ODY. 

Co ti)t M^rnovs of €. ik\. TO. 

Oh Marble Semblance — ^^undecaying Grace 1 
Wbat intellectual rapture bolds thy thought ? 

Eternity hath breathed upon thy face^ 

And vainly shall thy heavenly dream be sought 

By those who dwell on earth, and fain would trace 
The wonders of the change upon thee wrought. 

But see ! — midst hovering shades of airy vines 
There gleams a Funeral Urn ! — a glory round it shines ! 

A Visionary Urn is more intense 

Than aught that holds the lost decaying form ; 
So many claims disturb the external sense, — 

Confuse, divide, or wreck in its own storm ; 
But the soul's grief hath for its influence 

Eternity, whereto all things conform : 
And yet — the dark clay wraps thee — silence cold — 
Reality hath whispers — scarcely wise, though old. 

Seek then her grave. Fields, lanes, I heed ye not — 
Trees, brooks, nor all the pastoral hopes of spring ; 

I think but of the lone and hallowed spot 

Within the rustic church, where I would wing 

A bird's flight, every object else forgot. 

Which outward sense and fancy thronging bring : 

Yet, as the small, grey, ivy'd tower appears 
Above the trees — it seems to stand in distant years. 



48 



With slower pace — with many a sighing pause — 
With hesitation, and love's sacred fear 

Without his warmth, and thoughts of mortal laws 
That bind the spirit for a season here — 

I deeply feel all endeth in its Cause, 

And touch Futurity, while drawing near 

Those patient walls, — round which I stealing tread :-- 
The graves look conscious — nought to me seems dead. 

The sun streams through a lattice up the aisle, 
And gilds the chancel of that rustic fane. 

Streaming across the pavement's dull red tile. 

Silence, without a breath, holds there Time's chain. 

A hollow though tfulness — a bright cold smile — 
Pervade the place. Can a dark vault contain 

What late I saw in life's sweet brilliancy? 
Is this chill, vacant, gleam, all that is left of thee ? 

Can narrow, brick' d-up darkness, under foot, 

Hold thee, Pale Maid, in death's pathetic trance? 

And hath thy fair flower sunk into a root. 
No more to shine with morning radiance. 

For earthly eyes — thy gentle accents mute — 

The white neck shadow' d — the lost countenance — 

Onlv in Paradise again to bloom ; 
But here paved down in sad though sacred gloom. 

Look back — how brief the time— when sunset's gold 
Mingling with autumn's beauty, spread its gleam 

Athwart those woods, and gradually unrolled 

A soft swathe down the green slope to the stream. 

Touching the thickets, tree-trunks, moss, and mould. 
And grass-paths wandering into shades of dream : 

The platforms of the woodland midway hang ; 
And as we stroll' d along, some bird, or spirit, sang. 



49 

She sat in silence on a mossy stone, 

Looking across the lake that gleam' d below ; 
One cheek was bright with heaven's love, and her own — 

The other cold in shade. While yet the glow 
Was there, I heard the sad-voiced stockdove's tone, 

Too deeply sweet to warn of coming woe ; 
And yet the water-lilies bred a spell — 
'Neath those broad floating leaves, methought I could sleep 
well. 

What thoughts were hers? Soft lights and shades pursuing 
The clouds, were pictured in the moving lake ; 

Her grave sweet eyes some vision were revievdng. 
Yet from this scene an influence seem'd to take : 

And now a rising sigh is she subduing, 

As though pale hopes, like snow, fell flake by flake. 

Ah, somewhat in the air full often shows 
Fate to the soul— which yet believes not half it knows. 

After the dark and unforeseen event. 

We gather lights from previous thoughts, acts, dreams. 
Whereby we might have pictured fate's intent, — 

Or, thus to our immediate grief it seems. 
The warning vision all in vain was sent ; 

And vain, if credited, these baleful gleams : 
In proof vv^hereof are many stories old ; 
One I remember — sad as ever poet told. 

There was a Florentine in years gone*by, 
Who of an Arab mystic bought a ring : 
The small grey onyx pleased his musing eye. 

He went his way ; and fancy's summer wing 
Joyously urged him 'neath the hopeful sky, 

, Whereon he gazed and smiled, and oft would sing ; 
Until one day between wild fruit-tree rows 
He sat near fields, o'er which inspired sky-larks rose. 



50 



And as he gazed across the fields afar. 

She whom he loved came walking o'er the mead; 

And in her hair one white flower, like a star. 
Shone sweetly on her forehead. A pale reed 

She waved to him with motion regular- 
Smiling yet sad ; while sunset^ s dying brede 

Gleam' d on her saint-like bosom, pearly fair : — 
It was a waking dream — -and what he saw was air ! 

To rise and fly to her he strove in vain ; 

A charm was on him, bafiling each essay, 
Yet through his veins there ran delicious pain. 

Such as he had not known until that day. 
When — as she look'd on him and smiled again — 

An Arm came out of heaven ! — caught her away— 
Through the far firmament in silence bore — 
And the clouds closed behind — as quiet as before ! 



Breathless he sate, and staring in the sky : 

Then raised one hand to press his doubting brow. 

And, on the onyx 'graven, met his eye 

A Funeral Urn — which was not there till now ! 

Aw&j he fled, and the ring hastily 

Drew off, in fear of omens it might show ; 

Sought out the Arab ; but while on the way 
He heard a death-mass ! From that hour his hair turn' d grey. 

For she had died. His heart-strings scarce could hold : 
The breath of Florence seem'd a wintry blast. 

And a lone Voice came echoing o'er the wold. 

And through bleak woods and hills o'er which he pass'd. 

A broken record doth its griefs unfold. 

Which else were into Time's oblivion cast. 

The accents moan'd, like to a far-ofl* sea ; 
And in the ear of Night was breathed a monody. 



51 



It seem'd to sigh — ' I would recall the dead : 
1 search and hope for what I ne'er shall find ; 

The lovehness wherewith my dreams were fed — 
Heart-rapture, grace, and fortitude of mind. 

A spectral goddess meets mv arms instead : 
It smiles, it fades — I ne'er shall be resigned. 

The paths where thou hast trod look all forlorn ; 
I wander up and down — and cry ^ Where art thou gone?' ' 

Lovers of Old Romance, ye know such tales ; 

But those who ere the tidings see the Shade, 
To them, if true or fabulous, nought avails. 

In vain the warning Urn that gentle maid 
Might see in clouds or lake. God's sacred veils 

Float o'er the life-spring of the green grass blade ; 
And round on all sides of the common earth 
Move constant miracles — death hand-in-hand with birth. 

The bright spring comes — primrose and snow-drop fair. 
The purple crocus and the freshening breeze ; 

But where art thou ? White clouds are in the air ; 
Hoar frost is on the barn-roofs, ricks, and trees ; 

The thin ice glistens — melts — the fields prepare 
For infant growths — the lark sings o'er the leas — 

But where art thou ? Those broad pools and sweet lanes 
Look lonely, and the roads are wet with last night's rains. 

It is too cold for thee to be abroad, — 

Yet, at each turn, methinks thou may'st appear ; 
E'en now I glimpse thee o'er yon sunny ford 

Glidiug, with white camelias in thy hair. 
And in thy bosom ! Art thou then restored ? 

Ah me ! — it is a Swan. As I draw near, 
The arch'd neck veers with gracious tenderness — 
'Tis very like. It glides away from my caress. 

D 2 



52 

In the old churchyard still some hoar frost lingers 

Upon the graves in shady places chill. 
But infant spring smiles on death's stony fingers. 

And with soft radiance checks the solemn thrill. 
Fall are the window-nooks with chirping singers, 

That round their nests keep up a merry trill ; 
The blackbird preludes in his woodland home ; 
But high winds break the clouds — thou wilt not come. 

I saw a full-grown tree, through which, mid-way. 
Another tree had grown, and both were blooming : 

Strong, large, luxuriant, knowing not decay ; 
A thousand chances vainly w^ere o'erglooming 

Their health and symmetry. Chance hath grown grey : 
They flourish still. Ah, wherefore, then, entombing 

Far nobler life, thus prematurely marred. 
Oh, evil Chance ! — and leaving hearts for ever scarred ! 

'Twas not the hand of Chance, but the intent 
Of wise, though fathomless Beneficence : 

A seraph with a fiery banner sent 

Waved thee a sign that thou should' st hasten hence. 

We weep and wonder, or in prayer are bent. 
And ache at the recoil of human sense : 

For why so soon to vanish ? — to what end 
Singled from this world, where death is oft a friend ? 

Fronting yon ancient wooden porch, dark sweeping. 
An aged yew-tree stands, wherefrom a storm 

Hath rent one limb ; in gloom the boughs hang weeping. 
And yet the seat beneath betokens calm. 

Sad silence through the churchyard now is creeping ; 
Pale twilight o'er the cold church casts a charm : 

And on the roof, grey with dead crusted moss. 
The robin sings of love, upon the old stone cross. 



53 



If thou the Visionary Urn hast seen, 

Thou may'st a Service hear within that fane, 

Though nought but gloom and stillness there convene. 
The spiritual music of the brain 

Swells with seolian choir of memories keen. 
Then dimly sinks into a murmurous strain. 

Hist! — 'tis a chaunt — beneath the vaults' broad stones — 
It whispers of white wings to all those mouldering bones. 

Cold relics of life's garment mouldering here, 
Nothing of what ye really were remains, 

Save in the visions which our memories bear 
Of undecaying beauty, Hope retains 

Its fond prerogative, and thou so fair 

Of late — so sweet and noble ^ midst deaths pains, 

Hast left thine image in our souls impressed, 
Where we may see thee still — though thou art with the Blest, 

The churchyard now is folded round in gloom ; 
Black night hangs clotted in the yew-tree old. 
I stand beneath a darkness, as of doom. 

Where shall I go ? — the world is wide and cold. 
Wilt thou, blest Spirit, call me ? I will come : 

My heart's life bounds from time's dark grass and mould! 
What is't that through the boughs breaks forth afar ? 
The clouds divide — retire ; — It is the Evening Star ! 

The hedges drip, the paths are moist with dew. 
The silent fields in shadow all are sleeping ; 

The dark lanes need good faith and footsteps true. 
With care and firmness in the centre keeping. 

The sheep-bell sounds — like a far-off ' adieu ' 

From childhood, to the present sad hour leaping. 

Behind the trees the red moon rises slow, — 
But thou, bright Star of Night, direct me where to go ! 

BerhsMre, 1844. 



54 



GENIUS. 

Far out at sea — the sun was high. 

While veered the wind and flapped the sail,- 
We saw a snow-white butterfly 

Dancing before the fitful gale. 
Far out at sea. 

The little stranger, who had lost 
His way, of danger nothing knew ; 

Settled awhile upon the mast, 

Then fluttered o'er the waters blue ; 
Far out at sea. 

Above there gleam' d the boundless sky ; 

Beneath, the boundless ocean sheen ; 
Between them danced the butterfly. 

The spirit-life in this vast scene ; 
Far out at sea. 

Away he sped with shimmering glee ! 

Dim, indistinct — now seen — now gone. 
Night comes, with wind and rain, — and he 

No more will dance before the Morn — 
Far out at sea. 

He dies unlike his mates, I ween ; 

Perhaps not sooner, nor worse cross' d ; 
And he hath felt, and knovTU, and seen, 

A larger life and hope, — though lost. 
Far out at sea ! 



Gulf of Florida, 1830 



55 
THE SLAVE. 

A SEA-PIECE, OFF JAMAICA. 
{Before the Abolition.) 

Before us in the sultry dawn arose 
Indigo-tinted mountains ; and ere noon 
We near'd an isle that lay like a festoon 

And shared the ocean's glittering repose. 

We saw plantations spotted with white huts ; 

Estates midst orange groves and towering trees ; 

Rich yellow lawns embrown' d by soft degrees ; 
Plots of intense gold freak' d with shady nuts. 

A dead hot silence tranced sea, land, and sky : 
And now a low canoe came gliding forth, 
Wherein there sat an old man fierce and swarth. 

Tiger-faced, black-fang' d, and with jaundiced eye. 

Pure white, with pale blue chequer' d, and red fold 
Of head-cloth 'neath straw brim, this Master wore ; 
While in the sun-glare stood with high-raised oar 

A naked Image all of burnished gold. 

Golden his bones — high-valued in the mart — 
His minted muscles, and his glossy skin ; 
Golden his life of action — but within 

The slave is human in a bleeding heart. 

South Nigril Point. 



56 



THE KITE. 

In a field 

Where no shrub 

Earth could yield 

Man or grub ; 

Where no grass 

Could be seen. 

Goose or ass— - 

Leaf of green ; 

But all black 

As a stack 

Of old bean ; 
A collier boy, who drudged all day and night, 
One Sunday slipt away from school, and flew a paper kite. 

O'er grey cinder 

And coal dust. 

Ash and tinder 

And iron rust ; 

O'er black holes 

Of old shafts. 

Wheels and rolls — 

Engine crafts. 

The kite flies 

Tow'rd the skies, 

And they seem 

A sweet dream 

To his eyes : 
The boy found out he had a soul — not like his hands and tools ! 
It never rose so high before, in any Sunday schools. 



57 

The boy's heart 

Grew more light 

At each start 

Of the kite ; 

He ran hither — 

It puird tight— 

And thither, 

Till his sight 

Fixt above. 

Dreamt of love 

And wings white ; 

And to heaven 

It was given 

While Hwas bright ; 
For down a shaft he fell ! down — down — O, do not look ! 
And good folks drew the moral — '*'Twas because he left 
his book!" 

Bilston, 1841. 



AN IRISH FUNERAL. 

" On Wednesday the remains of a poor woman, who died of hunger, 
were carried to their last resting-place by three women and a blind 
man, the son in law of the deceased. The distance between the 
wretched hut of the deceased and the grave-yard was nearly three 
miles." — Tuam Herald, 

Heavily plod 
Highroad and sod, 
With the cold corpse clod. 
Whose soul is with God ! 



58 



An old door's the hearse 
Of the skeleton corpse^ 
And three women bear it. 
With a blind man to share it : 
Over flint, over bog, 
They stagger and jog : — 
Weary, and hungry, and hopeless, and cold, 
They slowly bear onward the bones to the mould. 
Heavily plod 
Highroad and sod. 
With the cold corpse clod. 
Whose soul is with God ! 

Barefoot ye go. 

Through the frost, through the snow ; 
Unsteady and slow. 
Your hearts mad with woe ; 
Bewailing and blessing the poor rigid clod — 
The dear dead-and-cold one, whose soul is with God. 

Heavily plod 

Highroad and sod. 

This ruin and rod 

Are from man — and not God ! 

Now spake out her sister, — 

*' Can we be quite sure 
Of the mercy of Heaven, 

Or that Death is life's cure? 
A cure for the misery, famine, and pains, 
Which our. cold rulers view as the end of their gains ?" 

Heavily plod 

Highroad and sod, 

With the cold corpse clod. 

Whose soul is with God ! 



59 



^Mn a land where there 's plenty/' 

The old mother said, — 
'^ But not for poor creatures 

Who pawn rags and bed — 
There 's plenty for rich ones, and those far away. 
Who drain off our life-blood so thoughtless and gay !" 

Heavily plod 

Highroad and sod. 

With the cold corpse clod. 

Whose soul is with God ! 

Then wailed the third woman — 

" The darling was worth 
The rarest of jewels 

That shine upon earth. 
When hunger was gnawing her — wasted and wild — 
She shared her last morsel with my little child." 

Heavily plod 

Highroad and sod. 

With the cold corpse clod. 

Whose soul is with God ! 

'^ Oh Christ !" prayed the blind man, 

^^ We are not so poor, 
Though we bend 'neath the dear weight 

That crushes this door ; 
For we know that the grave is the first step to Heaven, 
And a birthright we have in the riches there given." 

Heavily plod 

Highroad and sod. 

With the cold corpse clod. 

Whose soul is with God ! 

LlmericJc, 1847. 



60 



THE CATARACT OF THE MOHAWK. 

Ye black rocks, huddled like a fallen wall, 

Ponderous and steep. 
Where silver currents downward coil and fall 

And rank weeds weep ; 
Thou broad and shallow bed, whose sullen floods 
Show barren islets of red stones and sand, — 
Shrunk is thy might beneath a fatal Hand, 
That will erase all memories from the woods ! 



No more with war-paint, shells, and feathers grim. 

The Indian chief 
Casts his long frightful shade from bank or brim. 

A blighted leaf 
Floats by — the emblem of his history. 

For though when rains are strong, the cataract 
Again rolls on, its currents soon contract. 
Or serve for neighbouring mill and factory. 



A cloud, — of dragon's blood in hue — hangs blent 

With streaks and veins 
Of gall-stone yellow, and of orpiment, 

O'er thy remains. 
Never again, with grandeur, in the beam 

Of sun-rise, or of noon, or changeful night, 
Shalt thou in thunder chaunt thine old birth-right : 
Fallen Mohawk ! pass to thy stormy dream ! 

Mohawk River, 1830. 



61 



THE LAST WORDIS O' THE THANE 
O' CAWDOR. 

AK- ANCIEXT SCOTTISH BALLAD. 



My Marion loose your braid, your braid sae lang behind. 
O ! loose your yellow hair — cast its gold upon the wind ! 
For your father now maun die, and yon grave a traitor hold, 
And nane beside yoursel' will bless his ashes cold. 

O nane but ye, my child, will pause beside yon grave ; 
They'll pass wi' sic a shudder, as though the foul fiend drave; 
They'll pile their stony thoughts aboon thy father's bones. 
An' curse the restless ghaist that ay maun bleat his moans. 

When I am hid, ye'se gang unto the Norway's king ; 
May be he'll hold his promise for a' this news may bring : 
But for thee, I'd hate him now, as I hate my treacherie ; 
Yet nane shall ken the secret cause why thus disgraced I die. 

Gin Sweno will na' wed thee, yet bide a gentler time, 
Wi' patience o' the angels wha' bear wi' human crime, 
x\n' pray God his soul be wrung that his false aiths to thee 
Dazzled my een, an' wyled my hand to this disloyalty. 

Hie to the gude King Duncan, wi' a' thy winsome grace ; 
Tho' you love his mortal foeman, yet look up in his face : 
The truth, my Marion, tell, that allbe my acts were foul. 
Yet did I love my gude king wi' a' my harte and soul. 



62 

I wadna' he forgave me, — I could ne'er forgie mysel' : 
Deep, dark down 'neath the cairn my shame doth hunger 

for to dwell : 
Farewell, kind gentlemen ! I praye ye dinna greete. 
But tak my head, and lay it at gude king Duncan's feet. 

These last wordis o my hleedin^ harte, I wad sue to have 
maist humhlie made knowne unto the hinge by my dochter ; 
for whom, in deeth, together wi^ his majestie, shall my rest- 
less spirit const antlie praye. Amen. 



DER DRACHENFELS. 



DER GEIST DES FELSEN SPRICHT. 

Warum dein' Zeit kommst du verlieren hier, 
Denn im Gemiith Tangst freundlich warst bei rnir ? 



DER DICHTER ANTWORTET. 

Eben, o Geist, wegen der langen Freundschaft, 
Komme ich voll von unserer Einheits Kraft ; 
Nicht etwas Neueres zu bemerken, 
Sondern um Lieb' und Glaube hier zu starken. 



Konigswin ter, 1845. 



63 



THE PLOUGH. 

Above yon sombre swell of land 

Thou see'st the dawn's grave orange hue. 

With one pale streak like yellow sand, 
And over that a vein of blue. 

The air is cold above the woods ; 

All silent is the earth and sky, 
Except with his own lonely moods 

The Blackbird holds a colloquy. 

Over the broad hill creeps a beam, 

Like hope that gilds a good man's brow, 

And now ascends the nostril-steam 
Of stalwart horses come to plough. 

Ye rigid Ploughmen, bear in mind — 

Your labour is for future hours. 
Advance — spare not — nor look behind — 

Plough deep and straight with all your powers. 

March, 1848. 



64 



A THOUGHT FOR MICHAEL ANGELO. 

Mighty, yet reverent is the Sculptor's mind. 
That in the soUd quarry can conceive 
Heroes imprisoned — statues of the gods — 
And prophets locked up in the marble deep : 
Distinguishing, and seeing with closed eyes, 
Form midst confusion — midst the darkness light — 
And through the density, an atmosphere. 

To free these images of Power and Truth, 
Of Grace, and Majesty, to take their stand 
Within the temple, or among the clouds. 
He meditates ; while aspirations, hopes. 
And energies flash through his glowing frame. 
As doth a fire-brand in besieging hands, — 
Or rather, like a multitude devout 
That rush in a cathedral up and down, 
Before the hour of some high ceremony. 

But when Supreme Creation from itself 

Stupendous dreams to equal substance calls. 

Filling imagination's utmost moulds 

With mind, form, colour, life, and active power, — 

No further force of effluence, O, Great God, 

Originates the whole than serves to waft 

The pregnant fabric from infinity 

Unto these human shores, — where time and space 

Teach us to work, that so we may enlarge 

Our soul's abode in the ascending Scheme. 

Finchley, 1848. 



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